Bigornia
writes 30
MANILA - Filipino poet Mike Bigornia died last September 24
of apparent heart failure at the Far Eastern University Hospital
here. He was 51.
Born on May 16, 1950 in Bangued, Abra, Bigornia
was also an editor, fictionist and translator who was well
respected by his peers. He was the immediate past chairman
of the Unyon ng Mga Manunulat ng Pilipinas (UMPIL), and the
recipient of several Palanca Awards.
Bigornia, a political science graduate of
the University of the East, also won National Book Awards
from the Manila Critics Circle for his collection of prose
poems, Prosang Itim (Anvil) and Punta-Blanko.
Bigornia, the Makata ng Taon in 1986, was
a founding member of the Gallan sa Arte at Tula (GAT), along
with fellow poets Virgilio Almario and Teo Antonio. He also
worked as managing director for Phoenix Publishing House.
He is survived by his wife Ma. Teresa Rivera,
by whom he has five sons.